Costco Carries Le Creuset Dupes That Are Much Easier On Your Budget

Le Creuset is the Rolls Royce of cookware, and it has a price tag to match it. Made from enameled cast iron and handmade in France for nearly 100 years, these colorful cookware options are top-of-the-line. The enameled cast iron ensures everything from its Dutch ovens to cast iron skillets retain heat evenly, allowing your dishes to cook perfectly. However, all of this attention to detail and careful material use raises the price. If you're looking at the brand's iconic Dutch ovens, one can cost up to $625. If that's substantially out of your budget, then you'll be happy to learn that much like the viral Cloud couch, Costco has a pretty great dupe for the Le Creuset Dutch oven.  

While the retail giant offers a two-pack Tramontina 4-quart & 6-quart Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven for $69.99, its highest rated selection (and arguably, closest to the Le Creuset brand) is the Staub 7-Quart Cast Iron Braise and Grill, which is an enameled cast iron Dutch oven with a lid that doubles as a grill. The best part? It costs $249.99. But how does it stack up against Le Creuset? Let's take a look.

First, let's look at the brands. As mentioned, Le Creuset has been making cookware in France by hand for nearly a century. Staub, on the other hand, is also a French company that has been handcrafting cookware in Alsace, France, since the 1970s. Both brands create enameled cast iron cookware, and both are favored by professional chefs. Both items are Dutch ovens made from enamel cast iron, are induction-compatible, and can be washed in the dishwasher (though it's best to handwash to get your Dutch oven sparkling clean). 

There are some key differences, however. The Staub version is both a Dutch oven and a grill, since the lid can be used to cook on your stovetop. Simply put it on the induction or grate and fire up your beef or chicken. The Le Creuset is just a Dutch oven. The Staub version can handle heat up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit, while Le Creuset maxes out at 500 degrees. The Costco version only comes in dark red, while Le Creuset famously comes in a range of colors — 27 to be exact. But the biggest difference is in price. Staub costs $249.99 for a 7-quart option, whereas the same size in Le Creuset would set you back $460. 

Multiple reviewers mentioned though that both their Staub and Le Creuset Dutch ovens began to chip after a few months of use, so both have their fair share of quality control issues. Keeping this in mind, it seems that the Staub Dutch oven is the best pick if you want something that is quality and affordable, but Le Creuset is the way to go if you want something in a particular color or with name recognition.